Pinterest Ads Formats in 2026: A Complete Guide for Marketers
Pinterest is no longer just for inspiration—it’s a performance marketing powerhouse. Discover 7 ad formats, from AR Try On to shoppable Idea Ads, and learn how Pinterest drives high-intent traffic and sales in 2025.
If you are still thinking Pinterest is just a haven for DIY crafts and wedding mood boards… It’s time for a serious update.
In 2026, Pinterest will quietly become a high-intent advertising goldmine, especially for e-commerce brands. Why? Because users come here with a purpose: to plan, to dream, and most importantly, to buy.
Pinterest ads don’t just interrupt; they inspire. And with new formats that blend seamlessly into organic content, it’s easier than ever to reach users where they’re already looking for ideas.
Let’s break down the major ad formats on Pinterest in 2026, what they do, and how to use them effectively.
Key takeaways
- Pinterest in 2025 is a full-fledged performance marketing platform, not just a place for inspiration. Users come with the intent, especially to shop.
- There are 7 main Pinterest ad formats you can use: Standard Pins, Video Pins, Idea Ads, Carousels, Shopping Ads, Collection Ads, and AR Try On Ads.
- Standard Pins and Video Pins are great for traffic and awareness, especially when you use vertical visuals, clear CTAs, and engaging motion in the first few seconds.
- Idea Ads combine storytelling and conversions—perfect for tutorials, recipes, and influencer partnerships with clickable links.
- Carousels and Collection Ads allow you to showcase multiple products or tell a visual story, helping brands sell more with context.
- Pinterest now supports direct links in Idea Ads, “Shop the Look” features, and enhanced AR and predictive targeting tools, making it even more brand- and conversion-friendly.
1. Standard pin ads (a.k.a. promoted pins)
These are Pinterest’s bread and butter.
What are they?
Visually identical to regular pins, but they are paid placements shown to users beyond your followers. They appear in home feeds, search results, and category feeds.
It is best for: Driving traffic, product discovery, and awareness.
Technical Specs:
- File type: .PNG or .JPEG
- Aspect ratio: 2:3 (recommended 1000 x 1500 px)
- File size: Max 20MB
- Headline: Up to 100 characters
- Description: Up to 500 characters
- Destination URL: Required
The pro tip for you here is to use vertical images (2:3 ratio), include branding early, and add overlay text to make your message crystal clear. Pins with strong lifestyle imagery and call-to-action overlays tend to perform best.
2. Video pin ads
Static images are nice. But motion? That’s magic.
These are promoted video Pins that autoplay in users' feeds. They can be short and snappy (4–15 seconds) or long-form (up to 30 minutes), but shorter typically performs better.
It is perfect for engagement, storytelling, and showcasing products in action.
Technical Specs:
- File type: .MP4, .MOV or .M4V
- Aspect ratio: 1:1, 2:3, or 9:16
- Duration: 4 seconds to 15 minutes (optimal: 6–15 seconds)
- File size: Max 2GB
- Resolution: Minimum 240p
- Sound: Optional (autoplay is muted)
To get the best out of it, use subtitles. Pinterest users often browse with the sound off. Lead with movement in the first few seconds to hook viewers.
3. Idea ads (Formerly idea pins)
Pinterest meets TikTok, minus the dance challenges.
Multi-page video content that combines visuals, text, and stickers. Think of them as interactive mini-stories. These now include paid placement and links, making them super conversion-friendly in 2025.
It is best if you prefer brand storytelling, how-tos, recipes, tutorials, and influencers.
Technical Specs:
- Pages: Up to 20
- File type: Video (.MP4), images (.JPEG/.PNG)
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (recommended 1080 x 1920 px)
- Duration: 60 seconds max per page (ideal: 15–30 seconds)
- Stickers & Tags: Product tags, topic tags, paid partnerships
- Clickable links: Supported (as of 2025)
- Sound: Recommended
The expert tip to perform well here is to collaborate with creators. Pinterest’s paid partnership tool lets brands team up with influencers for co-branded Idea Ads that feel authentic and perform beautifully.
4. Carousel ads
Why show one image when you can show five?
A swipeable set of up to 5 images within one Pin. Each card can have its image, headline, description, and link. It is good for product catalogs, collection launches, and storytelling across multiple visuals.
Technical Specs:
- Cards: 2–5 images per carousel
- File type: .PNG or .JPEG
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 or 2:3
- File size: Max 20MB per card
- Headline: Up to 100 characters per card
- Description: Up to 500 characters
- Destination URL: Optional per card
Make sure every card tells part of the story or showcases a different benefit or product. Uniform dimensions = polished look.
5. Shopping ads
Pinterest’s not-so-secret weapon for ecommerce.
These pull directly from your product catalog and dynamically promote items based on user behavior and keywords. They show product info like price, availability, and title, just like a mini-storefront.
It is best for direct product sales, retargeting, and dynamic product ads.
Technical Specs:
- Product feed: Integrated via catalog (.CSV, .TSV, or XML)
- Image size: Minimum 1000 x 1500 px
- Product details: Title, description, price, availability
- File type: .JPEG or .PNG
- AR & “Shop the Look”: Supported in 2025
Make sure your product feed is clean and optimized—high-quality images, clear pricing, and proper tagging matter. Pinterest also now supports “Shop the Look,” which tags multiple products in one Pin.
6. Collection ads
Visual storytelling meets seamless shopping.
What are they?
A large featured image or video, followed by a row of smaller product images. Tapping it opens a full-screen shopping experience.
It is good for showcasing multiple products in context, like a lookbook, room setup, or tutorial.
Technical Specs:
- Main asset: 1 hero image or video
- Supporting assets: 3–25 product images
- Aspect ratio: Main = 1:1 or 2:3; products = 1:1
- File type: .JPEG, .PNG (images); .MP4 (video)
- File size: Max 10MB (images); Max 2GB (video)
- Destination URL: Required for each product
Pro tip: Use a video or lifestyle image as your main asset. Then pair it with 3–25 individual product shots to help users shop directly from the visual story.
7. Try on product pins (AR Ads)
Pinterest will be dabbling in the future, and it looks pretty fabulous.
The augmented reality ads that let users “try on” products like lipstick, glasses, or home decor through their camera.
It is perfect for beauty and fashion brands, especially for mobile shoppers.
Keep the AR experience fast and frictionless. It offers virtual try-on alongside a clear call to purchase.
Technical Specs:
- Supported formats: Lipstick, eyewear, and select beauty/home products
- File type: 3D models (.USDZ for iOS, .GLB for Android)
- Image size: High-res preview image (min. 1000 x 1000 px)
- Tagging: Product tags required
- Compatibility: Mobile devices with AR support
Curious for more? Learn about the Pinterest DPA here.
Which interest ad format should you use?
Here we have curated a list of formats for you to use:
| Goal | Best Ad Format |
|---|---|
| Drive traffic to your site | Standard Pins, Video Pins |
| Build awareness | Video Pins, Idea Ads |
| Showcase multiple products | Carousels, Collection Ads |
| Sell directly from Pinterest | Shopping Ads, Collection Ads |
| Tell a story or educate | Idea Ads, Video Pins |
| Experiment with AR | Try on Ads |
Final thoughts
Pinterest has evolved far beyond mood boards and meal prep. In 2026, it’s a visual search engine with intent-packed users ready to take action.
With a lineup of engaging ad formats, each serving a distinct purpose, you can meet customers at every stage of the funnel. Whether you want to inspire, inform, or convert, Pinterest Ads give you the creative flexibility to do it all… beautifully.
So go ahead: pick your format, build your boards, and pin your way to more sales.
FAQs
Costs vary by format and targeting. On average, you can expect CPCs around $0.10–$1.50 and CPMs of $2–$5. Shopping ads and video ads usually have higher conversion rates, making them more cost-effective long term.
Absolutely. Pinterest’s algorithm favors quality over scale. Even solo entrepreneurs can drive results with sharp visuals, keyword-rich descriptions, and consistent pinning.
You’ll need a Pinterest Business account, a verified website, and a product catalog feed via Shopify, WooCommerce, or a custom integration. From there, use Pinterest Ads Manager to build your campaign.
Use vertical images (1000x1500 px), avoid overly text-heavy visuals, include your logo, and use warm, natural lighting. Keep branding clear but not pushy.
Yes! Pinterest’s tagging system allows for website retargeting, engagement retargeting (e.g., people who saved or clicked your Pins), and customer list uploads.
Idea Ads now support direct linking, AR Try On Ads are expanding, and Pinterest is doubling down on creator collaborations. There's also improved AI for ad targeting and predictive performance.
Manisha is a Data-Driven Marketing Expert who turns numbers into narratives and ad clicks into conversions. With a passion for performance marketing and a sharp eye for analytics, she helps brands cut through the noise and maximize their impact in the digital space.
Leszek is the Digital Growth Manager at Feedink & Cropink, specializing in organic growth for eCommerce and SaaS companies. His background includes roles at Poland's largest accommodation portal and FT1000 companies, with his work featured in Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, and TechRepublic.
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